"When the Rachel path was originally inaugurated in the '80s, it was there, and then it was dismantled. We must say that cyclists have become more of a critical mass, and the fact that we were missing half a kilometre along such an important cycling artery became totally untenable," she said.

The city hopes the extra routes will help alleviate traffic congestion.

"We [recently] learned that it's now costing $1.5 billion to Montrealers just waiting in traffic, so let's invest in public transportation and cycling paths," said André Lavallée, executive committee vice-president, referring to a report from Transport Quebec on the cost of congestion.

The new bike paths will cost Montreal about $14 million. The city is asking the Quebec government to cover half the cost.